Letters -- Published Aug. 20, 2013

President Barack Obama and his family enjoyed a much-needed vacation, choosing to spend time at Martha's Vineyard, the playground of the nation's 1 percent.

President Barack Obama and his family enjoyed a much-needed vacation, choosing to spend time at Martha's Vineyard, the playground of the nation's 1 percent.

He left behind a variety of scandals dogging his administration.

His economic policies have been a disaster, and his approval rating has fallen to 45 percent in some polls, the lowest of his presidency.

What could be the reason? For starters, the Obama recovery has produced the worst rate of economic growth of any recovery in the past 65 years, over that time we have had 10 recessions and 10 recoveries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average real GDP growth for the first three years of those recessions was 4.6 percent. During the Obama recovery (starting July 2009), average GDP growth has been just 2.2 percent, worst of the past 11 recoveries.

The unemployment rate has remained at or above 7.5 percent for more than 53 months, 11.8 million people are searching for work and millions more are underemployed in part-time jobs.

It's no wonder the number of Americans receiving food stamps has skyrocketed to more than 47.7 million.

High unemployment, an ever-shrinking middle class, a record number of food stamp recipients, low paying jobs and crushing debt: It's been one failed economic policy after another.

Had enough of "hope" and "change" yet, or are you thirsty for more?

Gary MustoLodi

I don't understand why the House conservatives keep trying to deny health coverage to more than 3 million Americans who need and can't afford health care. They would rather not protect the needy and poor and instead kick them to the curb.

Why have they voted 40 times now to defund the Affordable Healthcare Act when they know full well that there is zero chance of it passing?

The ACA, or Obamacare, is the law of the land and the people supported the plan when we voted the president in for a second term.

House Republicans have done nothing to improve the nation's economic welfare. They have voted against raising the minimum wage for the working poor and they keep voting against any bill to rebuild the crumbling infrastructure.

These ultraradical conservatives are only trying to fool the American people so they can further their own plans, which only back and support the wealthy and greedy of this nation.

Tell them to get to work doing the business of the people or vote all these do-nothing bums out so we can get back to rebuilding our country.

Gene GasconStockton

Thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for writing a well-balanced proposal to list the Sierra yellow-legged frog and the Yosemite toad as endangered species. The yellow-legged frog is presently in danger of extinction throughout its entire range.

Habitat degradation and fragmentation caused by human activities is the No. 1 reason.

The proposal would have minimal impact of visitation and usage of the Sierras by campers, hikers, fishermen and so forth.

It would limit livestock grazing in some areas and work to restore degraded streams and meadows. The writers seek input from folks with appropriate expertise to analyze and apply the best available science.

For those who think the extinction of one small frog is not important, please ask, where do we draw the line? At the loss of all amphibians? Honey bees? Songbirds?

We appreciate the individuals at Fish and Wildlife who have worked hard to write a fair proposal, often in the face of ignorance and hostility.